Meaning and symbolism of the colour purple in handfasting cords
“Seek to be the purple thread in the long white gown.”
“I love this word decadence, all shimmering in purple and gold.”
This 'Hearts Entwined' cord contrasts a fresh lavender against an earthy sage, evoking purple in its natural incarnations
Colours are a great way to imbue your handfasting cord with meaning and contribute to telling the story of your love through your handfasting cord. This post will talk about the different meanings the colour purple is used to express.
GENERAL NOTES ON COLOURS - A ‘DISCLAIMER’
As always, I’d like to start with some general thoughts on the use of colours in handfasting cords. Some people claim that particular colours are traditional or authentic for handfasting cords. However, this can be misleading. Handfasting as a tradition is very old – so old in fact that we don’t know exactly when it originated or where it came from. What we DO know is that there are traces of it all over the world. What this means is that there is no linear handfasting tradition with strict ‘dos’ and ‘donts’ to adhere to and this goes for colour just as anything else. Different colours have had different meanings in different cultures and at different times, so there is no right or wrong set of colours to choose from.
The cords I make are all inspired by the aesthetics and meaning of Celtic knots. One of the things I love most about Celtic culture is that the way meaning is created is never black and white but fluid and contextual. And this is exactly what I believe the most important rule is when it comes to choosing the colour of your handfasting cord: What matters most is what your chosen colour means to YOU and the story of your relationship. Handfasting cords allow us to create a ritual of love that is special and unique to our relationship. If you are not sure about whether to include a certain colour or not, just listen to your heart. It’s your ceremony and your handfasting cord, after all. With that in mind, here are some ways in which the colour purple is usually interpreted in handfastings:
The colour purple can be summed up in one word: power. Read on to find out how you can tap into this power to create a gorgeous handfasting cord.
Simply gorgeous: a Purple Heather cord from the Bloom Design range that uses natural shades of purple
Rare and royal
Purple is associated with luxury and exclusivity. Although it is found in nature (especially in flowers like lavender) it is quite rare, and in ancient times purple dye had to be extracted from shellfish - a lengthy and expensive process. In many societies, wearing purple was reserved (sometimes by law) for the wealthy and royal. The one-of-a-kind quality of purple makes it perfect as an accent colour in a handfasting cord intended to show the unique, special nature of your love. And if the royal symbolism appeals, you might want to incorporate other regal elements like metallics or decorative charms - for a cord fit for a monarch!
This showstopping Celtic 'Nine Knots' Design plays off a dramatic purple against warm gold, fiery orange and dragon charms - both regal and fantastical
Like magic
Purple doesn’t just represent earthly power. It also symbolises divine and magical power, spiritual riches and mysticism. In Hindu Yogic thought it is the colour of the Crown Chakra, which represents higher consciousness, while in Christianity and Judaism it is strongly associated with the divine. Purple is the colour of spirits and spirituality, the unknown, and the imagination. This is a beautiful set of associations to incorporate into a handfasting cord, where purple could represent your specific spiritual beliefs, or the eternal power of tying the knot. After all, handfasting has traditionally bound couples together in this life and the next!
This Gothic themed cord from the Bloom Design range is a perfect example of how purple can be used in unexpected ways - here, with black and silver accents - for a truly unique feel
Creativity
The less somber side of purple is its connection to creativity and imagination, which can be playful and joyful as well as mysterious. Purple signifies joie de vivre and sensuality, passion and experimentation. Experiment with using a variety of purple shades in a handfasting cord. Unconventional combinations are what purple was made for.
The light blue and green ribbon in this Celtic 'Nine Knots' Design draw out the cooler side of purple
Perfect harmony
As much as purple can represent luxury and excess, it can also symbolise balance. As the combination of fiery red and cool blue, it marks the emotional halfway point between stimulation and calm. It is therefore a wonderfully balanced colour that can bring out the cool or warm qualities of other colours in a cord.. It can represent balance and the complementarity of two partners. And, because of its ambiguous characteristics, it makes a wonderful gender neutral option that is livelier than grey.
While this Bouquet cord, also part of the Bloom range, blends pink and purple with lace and ribbon in a feminine burst of colour. Check out other the Bloom Designs here
I hope you have found this post helpful. If you would like to work with me on designing your own custom handfasting cord, please don’t hesitate to get in touch :)
Love,
Ceo